When is a parasite not a parasite? Effects of larval tick burdens on white-footed mouse survival

Many animal species can carry considerable burdens of ectoparasites: parasites living on the outside of a host's body. Ectoparasite infestation can decrease host survival, but the magnitude and even direction of survival effects can vary depending on the type of ectoparasite and the nature and duration of the association. When ectoparasites also serve as vectors of pathogens, the effects of ectoparasite infestation on host survival have the potential to alter disease dynamics by regulating host populations and stabilizing transmission. We quantified the impact of larval Ixodes scapularis tick burdens on both within-season and overwinter survival of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) using a hierarchical Bayesian capture-mark-recapture model. I. scapularis and P. leucopus are, respectively, vectors and competent reservoirs for the causative agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Using a data set of 5587 individual mouse capture histories over sixteen years, we found little evidence for any effect of tick burdens on either within-season or overwinter mouse survival probabilities. In male mice, tick burdens were positively correlated with within-season survival probabilities. Mean maximum tick burdens were also positively correlated with population rates of change during the concurrent breeding season. The apparent indifference of mice to high tick burdens may contribute to their effectiveness as reservoir hosts for several human zoonotic pathogens.Fil: Hersh, Michelle H.. Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Estados Unidos. Bard College. Program in Biology; Estados Unidos. Sarah Lawrence College; Estados UnidosFil: LaDeau, Shannon L.. Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Estados UnidosFil: Previtali, Maria Andrea. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias. Departamento de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Ostfeld, Richard S.. Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Estados Unido

Differences in the association of dengue and leptospirosis incidences with respect to socio-sanitary vulnerability in the city of Santa Fe, Argentina

The results indicate that the higher the degree of vulnerability or social and health exclusion, the higher the incidence of leptospirosis, while the opposite is true for dengue cases. The results also suggest that there are two sectors with a higher incidence of dengue, one located in the central-western area of the city and the other in the southwest, both urban sectors with greater social inclusion and health accessibility. On the other hand, leptospirosis has its highest incidence in peripheral neighborhoods of the city located in the islands and the river coast, with high vulnerability indexes. Likewise, a conglomerate of cases was observed in areas near the former Belgrano railroad tracks, where some settlements with high social and sanitary vulnerability indexes are also located.In contrast to this work, Vanlerberghe (29), based on studies carried out in Cali, Colombia, suggests that dengue incidences are higher in more unprotected sectors of the population. Based on a worldwide meta-analysis, Muligan et al. (11) suggest that the relationship between social marginalization or lack of protection variables and the incidence of dengue is under discussion. In the city of Santa Fe, dengue epidemics have been associated with the occurrence of imported cases (5), and these are generally people who have traveled to countries where dengue is endemic. Therefore, it is more likely that dengue epidemics are initiated in sectors of Santa Fe society with a certain purchasing power that allows for travel outside the country. The results of this study indicate that in Santa Fe we found a lower incidence of dengue in sectors with high socio-sanitary vulnerability indicators, coinciding, in this sense, with the studies of Muligan et al (11).In relation to leptospirosis, the results coincide with those found by different researchers (6, 18, 30, 31) who describe this disease as more likely to happen amongst marginalized sectors of society. Three of the variables analyzed showed this pattern. We observed an increase in the incidence of leptospirosis as socioeconomic conditions deteriorated, which was also reflected in the spatial analysis of the determinants of the disease in Greater Santa Fe (18). Peri-urban and suburban sectors present the greatest environmental and socioeconomic susceptibility for the occurrence of leptospirosis (18).Finally, we also found that the incidence increased with higher proportions of households whose heads of household did not complete primary education. In a study carried out in neighborhoods of the city of Santa Fe and nearby localities, we observed an influence of the educational level achieved by people in their ability to adopt practices to prevent the disease (32). We also found a higher incidence of leptospirosis the higher the degree of health vulnerability, which could be related to the fact that cases of leptospirosis with detectable or severe symptomatology usually occur. Although leptospirosis has been considered a neglected disease at international level (6), some countries have not developed public policies aimed at improving its prevention. Martins and Spink (8) consider that in Brazil leptospirosis is a doubly neglected disease, because the epidemiological surveillance system in that country does not have data that would allow an efficient characterization of the populations that are mainly affected, so that its impact and the profile of the people affected remain invisible. When comparing it with dengue, Martins and Spink (8) attribute the differences in the sectors of the population affected by these diseases to the characteristics of the vectors/reservoirs that transmit them. Although Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have an area of action of approximately 300 m, they can easily disperse throughout the territory. Moreover, females lay their eggs in containers with rigid walls, which are not necessarily exclusive to more unprotected areas (6). Leptospira transmission, on the other hand, involves their excretion in the host´s urine, persistence in the environment and entry into a new host. The main reservoir of leptospires are rats (Rattus sp.). These animals proliferate in urban environments with inadequate basic services, such as waste collection, closed storm drainage systems, and well-maintained green spaces. Thus, for example, rats are associated with micro-dumps, ditches, and unweeded areas. On the other hand, conditions that favor the persistence of the bacteria in damp soils are also often found in marginal neighborhoods with poorly maintained dirt roads and open canals (1). Thus, poorer living conditions increase the chances of contracting leptospirosis in an urban context (8). These could be the mechanisms that result in the increased incidence of leptospirosis that we observed in the city of Santa Fe as the socioeconomic stratum index increases toward less favorable conditions.It should be emphasized that the number of cases of these diseases may be underestimated due to underreporting in the National Health Surveillance System. This may be due to the fact that these diseases in some cases produce mild symptoms, for which some people do not seek health care. In other cases, these diseases may be under-diagnosed due to lack of access to adequate health care or deficiencies in the health system´s ability to diagnose these diseases.It is necessary to take into account that the location of the dengue data from the 2016 minor outbreak could not be accessed, and that the type of study applied does not allow us to conclude on individual associations and could fall into an ecological bias. The patterns found are general and the resulting associations allow guiding new studies that search for more specific variables and with greater explanatory power, with the aim of avoiding possible confounding biases In recent years, great emphasis has been placed on public policies aimed at controlling dengue fever, with variable results (33), while leptospirosis prevention campaigns are scarce. We consider that these results constitute an advance and a contribution to the analysis of how these diseases are distributed in the city of Santa Fe, with the aim of guiding the development of public policies that will make it possible to adequately address invisible diseases, such as leptospirosis.In general terms, this work coincides with the statement made by Dr. Mike Begon (pers. comm.) that leptospirosis is such a neglected disease that it did not even make it to the WHO list of neglected diseases (34). In the case of Santa Fe, leptospirosis is neglected, underdiagnosed and underestimated in relation to Dengue. It is also, coinciding with Martins and Spink (8), invisibilized. And this is related to the sectors it affects, unlike dengue.Inequity, marginality, low educational level and vulnerability based on the social structure are elements that promote the deterioration of health in cities (35). Health does not obey an exclusively individual order, but is a process that depends on how societies produce and reproduce themselves (36, 37). Public policies must be equitable and comprehensive, with a high degree of social relevance, and must not respond only to an ahistorical and decontextualized biological perspective (38). Public policies aimed at disease prevention should cover the totality of conditions without excluding any material, social, educational, cultural or economic context. This would make it possible to achieve an improvement in the overall quality of life, especially if participatory inclusion is promoted in the construction of a dignified community future. When public policies aimed at improving economic conditions or strengthening social protection are implemented, there are usually positive repercussions on the health of the population (39,40). It is essential to address the problems associated with zoonoses in a transdisciplinary manner, considering the "One Health" concept. There cannot be human health if there is no animal health, and both cannot exist if the environment is not healthy; if it is deteriorated, if it is not sustainable (41, 42). Applying the One Health concept to the case of leptospirosis and dengue, we can expect that a healthy environment that has good garbage and vacant land management and minimizes rainwater accumulation will present fewer opportunities for mosquitoes, rodents and leptospires to survive and reproduce. In turn, in a more diverse animal community, including rodent and mosquito predators, and with a low dominance of reservoir species, there will be less transmission of these pathogens. Finally, an empowered human population with basic needs met and with broad access to education and health care will have greater capacity for prevention, detection and treatment of these zoonoses. Therefore, taking into account all of the above, we consider that it is necessary to advance in unraveling the socio-environmental roots of the health problems generated by this system of accumulation and segregation (37) in order to move towards healthier relationships, with citizen protagonism, which shed light on the invisible diseases that affect invisible populations and subjects.Fil: Avalos, Christian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Cristaldi, Maximiliano Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Mendicino, Diego. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Previtali, Maria Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin

Differences in the association of dengue and leptospirosis incidences with respect to socio-sanitary vulnerability in the city of Santa Fe, Argentina

The results indicate that the higher the degree of vulnerability or social and health exclusion, the higher the incidence of leptospirosis, while the opposite is true for dengue cases. The results also suggest that there are two sectors with a higher incidence of dengue, one located in the central-western area of the city and the other in the southwest, both urban sectors with greater social inclusion and health accessibility. On the other hand, leptospirosis has its highest incidence in peripheral neighborhoods of the city located in the islands and the river coast, with high vulnerability indexes. Likewise, a conglomerate of cases was observed in areas near the former Belgrano railroad tracks, where some settlements with high social and sanitary vulnerability indexes are also located.In contrast to this work, Vanlerberghe (29), based on studies carried out in Cali, Colombia, suggests that dengue incidences are higher in more unprotected sectors of the population. Based on a worldwide meta-analysis, Muligan et al. (11) suggest that the relationship between social marginalization or lack of protection variables and the incidence of dengue is under discussion. In the city of Santa Fe, dengue epidemics have been associated with the occurrence of imported cases (5), and these are generally people who have traveled to countries where dengue is endemic. Therefore, it is more likely that dengue epidemics are initiated in sectors of Santa Fe society with a certain purchasing power that allows for travel outside the country. The results of this study indicate that in Santa Fe we found a lower incidence of dengue in sectors with high socio-sanitary vulnerability indicators, coinciding, in this sense, with the studies of Muligan et al (11).In relation to leptospirosis, the results coincide with those found by different researchers (6, 18, 30, 31) who describe this disease as more likely to happen amongst marginalized sectors of society. Three of the variables analyzed showed this pattern. We observed an increase in the incidence of leptospirosis as socioeconomic conditions deteriorated, which was also reflected in the spatial analysis of the determinants of the disease in Greater Santa Fe (18). Peri-urban and suburban sectors present the greatest environmental and socioeconomic susceptibility for the occurrence of leptospirosis (18).Finally, we also found that the incidence increased with higher proportions of households whose heads of household did not complete primary education. In a study carried out in neighborhoods of the city of Santa Fe and nearby localities, we observed an influence of the educational level achieved by people in their ability to adopt practices to prevent the disease (32). We also found a higher incidence of leptospirosis the higher the degree of health vulnerability, which could be related to the fact that cases of leptospirosis with detectable or severe symptomatology usually occur. Although leptospirosis has been considered a neglected disease at international level (6), some countries have not developed public policies aimed at improving its prevention. Martins and Spink (8) consider that in Brazil leptospirosis is a doubly neglected disease, because the epidemiological surveillance system in that country does not have data that would allow an efficient characterization of the populations that are mainly affected, so that its impact and the profile of the people affected remain invisible. When comparing it with dengue, Martins and Spink (8) attribute the differences in the sectors of the population affected by these diseases to the characteristics of the vectors/reservoirs that transmit them. Although Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have an area of action of approximately 300 m, they can easily disperse throughout the territory. Moreover, females lay their eggs in containers with rigid walls, which are not necessarily exclusive to more unprotected areas (6). Leptospira transmission, on the other hand, involves their excretion in the host´s urine, persistence in the environment and entry into a new host. The main reservoir of leptospires are rats (Rattus sp.). These animals proliferate in urban environments with inadequate basic services, such as waste collection, closed storm drainage systems, and well-maintained green spaces. Thus, for example, rats are associated with micro-dumps, ditches, and unweeded areas. On the other hand, conditions that favor the persistence of the bacteria in damp soils are also often found in marginal neighborhoods with poorly maintained dirt roads and open canals (1). Thus, poorer living conditions increase the chances of contracting leptospirosis in an urban context (8). These could be the mechanisms that result in the increased incidence of leptospirosis that we observed in the city of Santa Fe as the socioeconomic stratum index increases toward less favorable conditions.It should be emphasized that the number of cases of these diseases may be underestimated due to underreporting in the National Health Surveillance System. This may be due to the fact that these diseases in some cases produce mild symptoms, for which some people do not seek health care. In other cases, these diseases may be under-diagnosed due to lack of access to adequate health care or deficiencies in the health system´s ability to diagnose these diseases.It is necessary to take into account that the location of the dengue data from the 2016 minor outbreak could not be accessed, and that the type of study applied does not allow us to conclude on individual associations and could fall into an ecological bias. The patterns found are general and the resulting associations allow guiding new studies that search for more specific variables and with greater explanatory power, with the aim of avoiding possible confounding biases In recent years, great emphasis has been placed on public policies aimed at controlling dengue fever, with variable results (33), while leptospirosis prevention campaigns are scarce. We consider that these results constitute an advance and a contribution to the analysis of how these diseases are distributed in the city of Santa Fe, with the aim of guiding the development of public policies that will make it possible to adequately address invisible diseases, such as leptospirosis.In general terms, this work coincides with the statement made by Dr. Mike Begon (pers. comm.) that leptospirosis is such a neglected disease that it did not even make it to the WHO list of neglected diseases (34). In the case of Santa Fe, leptospirosis is neglected, underdiagnosed and underestimated in relation to Dengue. It is also, coinciding with Martins and Spink (8), invisibilized. And this is related to the sectors it affects, unlike dengue.Inequity, marginality, low educational level and vulnerability based on the social structure are elements that promote the deterioration of health in cities (35). Health does not obey an exclusively individual order, but is a process that depends on how societies produce and reproduce themselves (36, 37). Public policies must be equitable and comprehensive, with a high degree of social relevance, and must not respond only to an ahistorical and decontextualized biological perspective (38). Public policies aimed at disease prevention should cover the totality of conditions without excluding any material, social, educational, cultural or economic context. This would make it possible to achieve an improvement in the overall quality of life, especially if participatory inclusion is promoted in the construction of a dignified community future. When public policies aimed at improving economic conditions or strengthening social protection are implemented, there are usually positive repercussions on the health of the population (39,40). It is essential to address the problems associated with zoonoses in a transdisciplinary manner, considering the "One Health" concept. There cannot be human health if there is no animal health, and both cannot exist if the environment is not healthy; if it is deteriorated, if it is not sustainable (41, 42). Applying the One Health concept to the case of leptospirosis and dengue, we can expect that a healthy environment that has good garbage and vacant land management and minimizes rainwater accumulation will present fewer opportunities for mosquitoes, rodents and leptospires to survive and reproduce. In turn, in a more diverse animal community, including rodent and mosquito predators, and with a low dominance of reservoir species, there will be less transmission of these pathogens. Finally, an empowered human population with basic needs met and with broad access to education and health care will have greater capacity for prevention, detection and treatment of these zoonoses. Therefore, taking into account all of the above, we consider that it is necessary to advance in unraveling the socio-environmental roots of the health problems generated by this system of accumulation and segregation (37) in order to move towards healthier relationships, with citizen protagonism, which shed light on the invisible diseases that affect invisible populations and subjects.Fil: Avalos, Christian Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Cristaldi, Maximiliano Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Mendicino, Diego. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones sobre Endemias Nacionales; ArgentinaFil: Previtali, Maria Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin

Determining the spatial distribution of environmental and socio-economic suitability for human leptospirosis in the face of limited epidemiological data

Background: Leptospirosis is among the leading zoonotic causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Knowledge about spatial patterns of diseases and their underlying processes have the potential to guide intervention efforts. However, leptospirosis is often an underreported and misdiagnosed disease and consequently, spatial patterns of the disease remain unclear. In the absence of accurate epidemiological data in the urban agglomeration of Santa Fe, we used a knowledge-based index and cluster analysis to identify spatial patterns of environmental and socioeconomic suitability for the disease and potential underlying processes that shape them. Methods: We geocoded human leptospirosis cases derived from the Argentinian surveillance system during the period 2010 to 2019. Environmental and socioeconomic databases were obtained from satellite images and publicly available platforms on the web. Two sets of human leptospirosis determinants were considered according to the level of their support by the literature and expert knowledge. We used the Zonation algorithm to build a knowledge-based index and a clustering approach to identify distinct potential sets of determinants. Spatial similarity and correlations between index, clusters, and incidence rates were evaluated. Results: We were able to geocode 56.36% of the human leptospirosis cases reported in the national epidemiological database. The knowledge-based index showed the suitability for human leptospirosis in the UA Santa Fe increased from downtown areas of the largest cities towards peri-urban and suburban areas. Cluster analysis revealed downtown areas were characterized by higher levels of socioeconomic conditions. Peri-urban and suburban areas encompassed two clusters which differed in terms of environmental determinants. The highest incidence rates overlapped areas with the highest suitability scores, the strength of association was low though (CSc r = 0.21, P < 0.001 and ESc r = 0.19, P < 0.001). Conclusions: We present a method to analyze the environmental and socioeconomic suitability for human leptospirosis based on literature and expert knowledge. The methodology can be thought as an evolutive and perfectible scheme as more studies are performed in the area and novel information regarding determinants of the disease become available. Our approach can be a valuable tool for decision-makers since it can serve as a baseline to plan intervention measures.Fil: Cristaldi, Maximiliano Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Thibault, Catry. Université Montpellier II; FranciaFil: Pottier, Auréa. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement; FranciaFil: Herbreteau, Vincent. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement; FranciaFil: Roux, Emmanuel. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement; FranciaFil: Jacob, Paulina. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbran". Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias; ArgentinaFil: Previtali, Maria Andrea. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentin

Use, tolerability, benefits and side effects of orthotic devices in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Background: Shoe inserts, orthopaedic shoes, ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are important devices in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) management, but data about use, benefits and tolerance are scanty. Methods: We administered to Italian CMT Registry patients an online ad hoc questionnaire investigating use, complications and perceived benefit/tolerability/emotional distress of shoe inserts, orthopaedic shoes, AFOs and other orthoses/aids. Patients were also asked to fill in the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology questionnaire, rating satisfaction with currently used AFO and related services. Results: We analysed answers from 266 CMT patients. Seventy per cent of subjects were prescribed lower limb orthoses, but 19% did not used them. Overall, 39% of subjects wore shoe inserts, 18% orthopaedic shoes and 23% AFOs. Frequency of abandonment was high: 24% for shoe inserts, 28% for orthopaedic shoes and 31% for AFOs. Complications were reported by 59% of patients and were more frequently related to AFOs (69%). AFO users experienced greater emotional distress and reduced tolerability as compared with shoe inserts (p&lt;0.001) and orthopaedic shoes (p=0.003 and p=0.045, respectively). Disease severity, degree of foot weakness, customisation and timing for customisation were determinant factors in AFOs' tolerability. Quality of professional and follow-up services were perceived issues. Conclusions: The majority of CMT patients is prescribed shoe inserts, orthopaedic shoes and/or AFOs. Although perceived benefits and tolerability are rather good, there is a high rate of complications, potentially inappropriate prescriptions and considerable emotional distress, which reduce the use of AFOs. A rational, patient-oriented and multidisciplinary approach to orthoses prescription must be encouraged

The commissioning of the CUORE experiment: the mini-tower run

CUORE is a ton-scale experiment approaching the data taking phase in Gran Sasso National Laboratory. Its primary goal is to search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay in 130Te using 988 crystals of tellurim dioxide. The crystals are operated as bolometers at about 10 mK taking advantage of one of the largest dilution cryostat ever built. Concluded in March 2016, the cryostat commissioning consisted in a sequence of cool down runs each one integrating new parts of the apparatus. The last run was performed with the fully configured cryostat and the thermal load at 4 K reached the impressive mass of about 14 tons. During that run the base temperature of 6.3 mK was reached and maintained for more than 70 days. An array of 8 crystals, called mini-tower, was used to check bolometers operation, readout electronics and DAQ. Results will be presented in terms of cooling power, electronic noise, energy resolution and preliminary background measurements

Mass testing of the JUNO experiment 20-inch PMTs readout electronics

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) is a multi-purpose, large size, liquid scintillator experiment under construction in China. JUNO will perform leading measurements detecting neutrinos from different sources (reactor, terrestrial and astrophysical neutrinos) covering a wide energy range (from 200 keV to several GeV). This paper focuses on the design and development of a test protocol for the 20-inch PMT underwater readout electronics, performed in parallel to the mass production line. In a time period of about ten months, a total number of 6950 electronic boards were tested with an acceptance yield of 99.1%

Implementation and performances of the IPbus protocol for the JUNO Large-PMT readout electronics

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) is a large neutrino detector currently under construction in China. Thanks to the tight requirements on its optical and radio-purity properties, it will be able to perform leading measurements detecting terrestrial and astrophysical neutrinos in a wide energy range from tens of keV to hundreds of MeV. A key requirement for the success of the experiment is an unprecedented 3% energy resolution, guaranteed by its large active mass (20 kton) and the use of more than 20,000 20-inch photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs) acquired by high-speed, high-resolution sampling electronics located very close to the PMTs. As the Front-End and Read-Out electronics is expected to continuously run underwater for 30 years, a reliable readout acquisition system capable of handling the timestamped data stream coming from the Large-PMTs and permitting to simultaneously monitor and operate remotely the inaccessible electronics had to be developed. In this contribution, the firmware and hardware implementation of the IPbus based readout protocol will be presented, together with the performances measured on final modules during the mass production of the electronics

Validation and integration tests of the JUNO 20-inch PMTs readout electronics

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) is a large neutrino detector currently under construction in China. JUNO will be able to study the neutrino mass ordering and to perform leading measurements detecting terrestrial and astrophysical neutrinos in a wide energy range, spanning from 200 keV to several GeV. Given the ambitious physics goals of JUNO, the electronic system has to meet specific tight requirements, and a thorough characterization is required. The present paper describes the tests performed on the readout modules to measure their performances.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figure

Results from the Cuore Experiment

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is the first bolometric experiment searching for neutrinoless double beta decay that has been able to reach the 1-ton scale. The detector consists of an array of 988 TeO2 crystals arranged in a cylindrical compact structure of 19 towers, each of them made of 52 crystals. The construction of the experiment was completed in August 2016 and the data taking started in spring 2017 after a period of commissioning and tests. In this work we present the neutrinoless double beta decay results of CUORE from examining a total TeO2 exposure of 86.3kg yr, characterized by an effective energy resolution of 7.7 keV FWHM and a background in the region of interest of 0.014 counts/ (keV kg yr). In this physics run, CUORE placed a lower limit on the decay half- life of neutrinoless double beta decay of 130Te > 1.3.1025 yr (90% C. L.). Moreover, an analysis of the background of the experiment is presented as well as the measurement of the 130Te 2vo3p decay with a resulting half- life of T2 2. [7.9 :- 0.1 (stat.) :- 0.2 (syst.)] x 10(20) yr which is the most precise measurement of the half- life and compatible with previous results